UACE Points Calculator

How the Uganda UACE Points & PUJAB Weighting System Works

The Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) is the national terminal examination administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) at the conclusion of Senior Six (S.6). It serves as the primary gateway for entry into Ugandan public and private universities, national teachers' colleges, health training institutes, and polytechnic diploma colleges.

1. The 20-Point Maximum Raw Score Structure

In Uganda, every A-Level student typically registers for three (3) Principal subjects along with two (2) subsidiary subjects (General Paper and either Subsidiary Mathematics or Subsidiary ICT). The maximum possible raw score that a candidate can obtain is 20 points:

The total raw score is determined by the formula:

Total Raw Points = (Principal 1 Points) + (Principal 2 Points) + (Principal 3 Points) + (General Paper Point) + (Subsidiary Math/ICT Point)

2. Direct University Admissions Criteria (The 2 Principal Pass Rule)

Under the regulations established by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES):

• Bachelor's Degree Programs: Requires a minimum of two (2) Principal Passes (Grades A, B, C, D, or E) obtained at the same sitting of UACE. Having only subsidiary passes (Grade O) does not qualify for direct degree entry.
• Diploma Programs: Requires a minimum of one (1) Principal Pass plus at least two (2) subsidiary passes, or a relevant certificate.
• Certificate Programs: Candidates with subsidiary passes or UCE qualifications can enroll in Higher Certificate foundation courses.

3. Makerere University & PUJAB Weighting System

When applying for government sponsorship or competitive private admissions at Ugandan public universities (Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Gulu University, Busitema University, Kabale University, Lira University, and Muni University), degree programs classify subjects into categories:

• Essential Subjects (Weight = 3): The two most critical subjects for the degree (e.g., Mathematics and Physics for Electrical Engineering; Biology and Chemistry for Medicine and Surgery). Each grade point is multiplied by 3.
• Relevant Subject (Weight = 2): The third principal subject supporting the degree (e.g., Chemistry or Economics). Grade point is multiplied by 2.
• Desirable Subjects (Weight = 1): General Paper (1 pt) and Subsidiary Math/ICT (1 pt).
• O-Level (UCE) Academic Contribution: Every Distinction (D1 or D2) contributes 0.3 points, every Credit (C3 to C6) contributes 0.2 points, and every Pass (P7 or P8) contributes 0.1 points (up to roughly 2.4 to 3.0 bonus points).
• Affirmative Action: Female applicants receive an automatic +1.5 points bonus under the gender affirmative scheme for public university entry.

4. Step-by-Step Calculation Example

Consider an A-Level candidate who sat for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM/ICT):

• Mathematics (Essential 1): Grade A (6 points) → Weight = 6 × 3 = 18.0
• Physics (Essential 2): Grade B (5 points) → Weight = 5 × 3 = 15.0
• Chemistry (Relevant): Grade C (4 points) → Weight = 4 × 2 = 8.0
• General Paper: Credit (1 point) → Weight = 1 × 1 = 1.0
• Subsidiary ICT: Pass (1 point) → Weight = 1 × 1 = 1.0

Raw UACE Score: 6 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 17 / 20 Points with 3 Principal Passes.

PUJAB A-Level Weighted Subtotal: 18.0 + 15.0 + 8.0 + 1.0 + 1.0 = 43.0 Points.

Adding O-Level points (e.g. 6 Distinctions × 0.3 = 1.8 + 2 Credits × 0.2 = 0.4 → 2.2 pts) yields a final competitive weighted cut-off score of 45.2 Points (or 46.7 Points for female applicants).